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The '90s gave us many great things, but we really don’t give the era enough credit for blessing us with vast array of entertaining dog movies.
Before Instagram-famous pups ruled the world, it was the dogs of Hollywood that stole our hearts. These films were everywhere -- they ruled theaters, TV, and VHS collections throughout the decade. Every pup — from the ones that were really, really good at sports to the ones that got lost while trying to find their way home — shined on screen.
Each has a special place in the canon of canine films, but some were definitely better than others. Here’s your unofficial ranking of the top 10 dog movies films from the '90s.
10. Top Dog (1995)
A Chuck Norris joint in last place on this list? Sorry, but Top Dog is just...meh. In the 1995 film, Norris is partnered with police dog Reno, and the two soon find themselves trying to thwart the terrorist attacks of white supremacists and other hate groups. The film was released the same week as the terrorist attack in Oklahoma City, so all in all, it definitely wasn’t a fun comedy for the whole family! On top of that, it is filled with every cliche imaginable. Hard pass.
9. Balto (1995)
Balto, on the other hand, is a gem of a film. Our part-wolf, part dog is the unlikely hero after a sled team gets lost in the middle of their journey to retrieve medicine for a dying child. It’s a touching story about turning weaknesses into strengths and overcoming what people think about you. Balto is an underdog in the truest sense. So if you find joy in watching one triumph, then this is some animated dog content for you.
8. Lassie (1994)
Okay, there’s nothing wrong with Lassie. It did even score an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. But the story of an unbreakable bond between a young boy and his dog in the Great Depression wasn’t totally my cup of tea. Though even I must admit, it is heartbreaking when someone evil tries to destroy your family’s livelihood by kidnapping your dog. For young kids, it’s probably a treat. But for me, it did not stand the test of time.
7. Shiloh (1996)
A lot of dog movies are really sad, so if you don’t like that, then don’t watch Shiloh. The 1996 film is based on the book by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, which shattered my 5th grade heart into so many pieces that I’m still triggered when I see beagles. Shilo is a pup who's abused by his owner Judd. He runs away from his horrible environment and ultimately takes shelter with Marty, a young boy, and *drumroll please* they bond and that bond can never be broken.
6. Zeus and Roxanne (1997)
The only thing better than a bond between dog and human? The bond between dog and dolphin. Zeus and Roxanne is a refreshing film that avoids cliches. If you’re craving “interspecies communication," this is your movie. In Zeus and Roxanne, Zeus the dog helps a marine biologist conduct research on Roxanne, a dolphin. There's a kidnapping (a common dog movie trope) and a burgeoning love story between two humans — what more could you want?
5. 101 Dalmatians (1996)
Sure, the stars of this movie are supposed to be the actual pups, but Glenn Close really steals the show. Everything that happens in the original happens here. So in that regard it gets zero points for originality. But Close plays such a phenomenally evil Cruella de Vil that it deserves a spot right in the middle.
4. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
In Homeward Bound, Chance, Sassy, and Shadow are all eager to get home. So eager that they embark on an unforgettable journey through the wilderness despite the unfavorable odds. It's a beautiful movie (it was filmed in Oregon, after all) with some great voiceovers and involves almost no humans throughout, which is *chef's kiss*. Plus, you have two very different dogs to fall in love with — a golden retriever and an American bulldog! So many options!
3. Beethoven (1992)
If a dog that knows how to “sing” along to Beethoven doesn’t warm your heart, what will? The 1992 classic is a trip in terms of dog movies. The beloved Saint Bernard comes into the lives of the Newton family and makes himself right at home. But pretty soon, there are lying doctors, animal abuse charges, fake euthanization, and more thrown into the mix. Beethoven isn’t for the faint of heart, but the ending makes it all worth it.
2. Air Bud (1997)
There are most definitely no rules that say a dog can’t play basketball, and Air Bud proves just that. This nearly perfect film is probably what pops into your mind when you first think of dog movies from the 90s, because, well, it is flawless. When Josh discovers that Buddy, the stray golden retriever he took in, can play basketball, a whole new world opens up for the both of them. But just as Buddy and Josh blossom in their new environments, the doggo’s original owner wants his star basketball dog back. Air Bud is chock full of action, emotions, and sports — plus the sheer amount of spinoffs (there are at least 12) prove that will always be a mainstay in the hearts of dog movie lovers everywhere.
1. A Goofy Movie (1995)
Despite the fact that the canines in this masterpiece walk on two legs like humans, this most definitely is a dog movie. Don't @ me. Goofy forces his high-school-aged son Max to go on a fishing trip to kick off summer and strengthen their bond. Max is determined to impress his crush, but because of the impromptu trip, is forced to lie about why he can't take her out. Meanwhile Goofy, determined to do right by his son, takes them on an adventure. There's love. There's family. There's a soundtrack. It stands up to the test of time and is perfect for teens, tweens, and parents alike. What's not to love?
Of course great dog movies didn't stop when the decade ended. So if these films aren't enough, I suggest watching the later films My Dog Skip, Eight Below, Where the Red Fern Grows, and of course, Marley and Me.
May these, and many more, inspire a new wave of heartbreaking and hilarious dog movies for generations to come!
Topics Animals
